Canon EOS 60D Review

Canon's X0D series has throughout its life appealed to a wide range of photographers, from enthusiasts and semi-pros through to some pros who appreciated having a lightweight option. Each model offered a high enough specification (usually in terms of build quality and AF sophistication) to ensure it was both aspirational and attainable for users who had out-grown their Rebel/XX0D series. However, the feature set always left a sizeable gap below the company's full-blown 'pro' models.

The arrival of the EOS 7D, with its highly configurable 19-point AF system and 8 frames per second continuous shooting capability changed much of this - here was a 'mini 1D' that drew the attention of many people who previously would have been X0D customers. However, the price tag (a 30% premium over the 50D at launch) pushed it beyond the reach of most people who weren't making at least a bit of money from their photography.

The 50D (and by extension the X0D range) was starting to look somewhat redundant: expensive (and in some ways outdated) compared to the rebel T2i (EOS 550D), underpowered compared to the EOS 7D. It seemed obvious that Canon needed something to balance out the EOS range to fill the big gap between the Rebel and the 7D. And so we have this, the EOS 60D.

With the 60D Canon has unashamedly moved the X0D range out of the 'semi pro' bracket and instead focused on the enthusiast photographer looking to upgrade from their Rebel. As a result, it's not the obvious continuation of the 30D - 40D - 50D pattern that its naming might suggest. Instead it sits pretty well precisely in the same market position as was once-upon-a-time occupied by the 'Elan' series of 35mm film SLRs (which in Europe were not-so-coincidentally given double-digit model numbers).

So gone is the magnesium alloy construction that featured in previous models, replaced by a lighter weight plastic shell. Naturally the 60D gains some key 'step up' features from the Rebel line (top panel LCD, rear control dial, higher burst rate), including a few that have trickled down from the EOS 7D. There's also a video- (and tripod-) friendly 3:2 ratio articulated LCD. In imaging terms it brings the EOS mid-range in line with those above and below by upping the sensor resolution to around 18MP and adding full HD movie capture.

The EOS 60D also gains a couple of brand-new features of its own. There's now a wide range of color variations (or 'Ambiences') which can be applied to the image when using the scene modes, and whose effect can be previewed on screen in Live View. The 60D also finally gains the ability to convert raw files to jpeg in-camera, including the option to correct for lens aberrations including distortion and chromatic aberration. As an added bonus, you can retrospectively apply new 'Creative Filters' to files you've shot, including 'Grainy Black and White' and 'Toy Camera' looks.

And so, from a spec and feature point of view, the EOS 60D sits almost exactly half-way between the EOS 550D and the EOS 7D, with a few new tricks of its own. Which, we think, is exactly where it should be (regardless of the inevitable howls of protest at the apparent 'dumbing down' of the venerable X0D line).

The 60D's position in the range is immediately apparent when lined-up between the EOS 550D (Rebel T2i) and the 7D - it's a model that sits half-way between the two, without coming too close to either.

Canon EOS 60D vs 50D: Key Differences

Placing the 50D alongside the 60D it becomes clear that the new camera is not a simply a direct upgrade but a repositioned model. The most obvious difference is that it's smaller and, of course, no longer features a metal body.

The 60D is smaller than the 50D but its ergonomics are not substantially changed - it'll still feel like a big improvement over a Rebel series camera, though the loss of the metal body means the same won't be true for 50D owners. One welcome addition is signaled by the little receiver window on the handgrip - the 60D is compatible with Canon's IR remote controls.

No joystick, no multi-flash support, simplified top plate & info panel, only one Custom mode, no AF micro-adjust

Slightly reduced customization options

Redesigned control layout with slightly fewer buttons

Lower burst rate

The camera handling has become slightly more Rebel-like too: the joystick is replaced by a multicontroller the resides within the rear dial, and several of the direct access buttons have been removed. You do, however, get the all-important second dial on the back, plus an info panel on the top.

Compared to the EOS 50D and EOS 7D: core feature and specification differences

As you can see from the table below the 60D is not an unequivocal upgrade from the 50D in the same way that previous cameras in the range have been. Essentially it's a 50D in a smaller body, the includes a flip-out screen and the sensor used in the Rebel T2i (550D) and 7D, with all the HD movie recording capability that brings.

Foreword / notes

If you're new to digital photography you may wish to read some of our Digital
Photography Glossary before diving into this article (it may help
you understand some of the terms used).

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out the difference between all of the grayscale
blocks below. We recommend to make the most of this review you should
be able to see the difference (at least) between X,Y and Z and ideally also
A, B and C.

Comments

60D seems a real hybrid and hails the videographers mostly. IQ as good as 7D and video is near the level of 5D mark II at 100-1600 iso range. That is a bargain combo for amateurs and pro-sumers alike.It is necesarry to use it with fast primes to get the most of from the sensor.Still I do not like the motion jpeg compression and so does the video quality of nikons.If You have money to invest some superior Canon primes and wish to get best of both worlds (video&stills;) without bankrupt it seems 60D is the right decisio?n to go for..

To my mind Canon EOS 60D is great for the ambitious amateur or dedicated professional, this Canon DSLR camera makes it a snap to produce high-quality pictures and movies. The included UD zoom lens provides a high-resolution photo with reduced chromatic aberration and its refined image stabilization technology steadies the shot and reduces blur, resulting in a sharp and clear picture.